Portion of Disraeli closed Monday morning as firefighters battle blaze

Commuters into the downtown may have their hands full Monday morning as emergency crews battle a fire in a vacant building.

Crews were called to the 00-100 block of the Disraeli Freeway around 4:40 a.m. Monday. 

As of 5 a.m. thick smoke could be seen pouring from the some as firefighters work to bring the fire under control.

Northbound traffic is closed at Lily as crews work in the area. The median lane of southbound Disraeli is also closed, and Lily is closed in the area.

Northbound traffic is being rerouted onto Logan. 

As of 5:30 a.m. southbound traffic into the downtown was still open. However, motorists should avoid the area if possible to give emergency responders room to work safely. Thick smoke is also blanketing the area which could pose a hazard for motorists.

It appears firefighters are taking a defensive stance with the blaze, and fighting it from the outside only and protecting other properties.

A fire at a vacant building currently has the northbound lanes of Disraeli closed at Lily. SB traffic into downtown is open but motorists should avoid the area if possible. MORE DETAILS:https://t.co/wKBvksjTnr pic.twitter.com/R1B4OfBdIc

— CHVN Radio (@chvn951) October 31, 2022

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic says in a release sent out just before 7 a.m. that there have been no injuries reported. The WFPS says it expects closures to remain in the area for the morning rush hour.

More to come.